News Dabba for 31 July 2024: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from UPSC cancelling Puja Khedkar's provisional candidature, wayanad landslide updates, to Hamas political leader Haniyeh's assassination.

UPSC cancels IAS officer Puja Khedkar's provisional candidature, Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times reports that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cancelled the provisional candidature of controversial trainee IAS officer, Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, over irregularities in her civil services exam 2022 application. The body has also debarred her from appearing for any exam conducted by the UPSC, the report adds. Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer who secured an all-India rank of 821 in the UPSC exams, is accused of misusing her authority. The report mentions that she is also accused of faking her identity to fraudulently avail herself of attempts beyond the permissible limit in the civil services examination. Read the full report here.

Indian Express live updates on Wayanad landslide

At least 156 bodies have been recovered while 200 persons have sustained injuries after a series of landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, Indian Express reports. Over 50 bodies recovered from the Chaliyar River many kilometres downstream are being kept at the Government Hospital in Nilambur. On July 23, the Union government issued an early warning of rainfall and potential landslides to the Kerala government, the report says. Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Rajya Sabha that nine NDRF teams were dispatched on the same day. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people to come together to rebuild destroyed livelihoods, similar to what they did after the 2018 floods in the state. Read the full report here.

BBC on Hamas political leader Haniyeh's assassination in Iran

Hamas says its political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran’s capital Tehran, BBC reports. Haniyeh was killed in an air strike at about 02:00 local time, reports say. The 62-year-old is the most senior Hamas leader to be killed since the 7 October attacks, the report says. Hamas has blamed Israel, it adds, which is yet to respond but has previously vowed to eliminate Hamas's leaders. Iran, the group's most important backer, vows to avenge his death. Read the full report here.

India Today: Nitin Gadkari seeks removal of 18% GST on life, medical insurance premium

Union Minister of Road Transport, and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for the elimination of the 18 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and medical insurance premiums. In a letter dated July 28 to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the report says, Gadkari argued that taxing these premiums equates to taxing life's uncertainties and hinders the growth of the insurance sector. "You are requested to consider the suggestion of withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premium on priority as it becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens," Gadkari wrote. Read the full report here.

Myanmar military government extends state of emergency by six months: The Straits Times

Myanmar’s military government has extended the country’s state of emergency by six months as it struggles to maintain its grip on power. Al Jazeera reports that all members of the military-controlled National Defence and Security Council “unanimously decided” to extend the state of emergency on Wednesday owing to “terrorist acts” by government opponents, as per the state broadcaster MRTV. Army chief and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing had proposed the extension to “prepare valid and accurate ballots” for elections scheduled for 2025, said the broadcaster. Critics say the proposed polls will be neither free nor fair. Read the full report here.